Reinforce assemblies and units thereof



June 10, 1958 J. l. swANsoN 2,837,985

REINF ORGE ASSEMBLIES AND UNITS THEREOF Filed Aug. 22, 195s r' i2,837,985 Patented June 10, 1958 t 2,831,985 Y REINFoncE AssEMBLIEs ANDUNITS THEREoF .lohn I. Swanson, Albion, Mich., assgnor to Union SteelProducts Company, Albion, Mich., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationAugust 22, 1955, Serial No. 529,804

9 Claims. (Cl. 94-8) This invention relates to improvements in reinforceassemblies and units thereof particularly desirable for use :at jointsof pavements, airtields, and the like.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a reinforce assembly comprising pairs of like unitswhich may be quickly assembled at the point of use with dowels or otherreinforce elements which may be handled as an assembled structure.

Second, to provide an assembly of this character in which the parts maybe compactly arranged and shipped in the knockdown and quickly set up atthe point of use and when set up provides a strong structure even whenformed of relatively light material, the parts being ar- .ranged toeffectively support and brace each other.

Third, to provide a unit for supporting reinforcing lelements `whichprovides secure seats for a plurality of reinforcing elements andpermits rapid assembly of such "elements therewith and when the elementsare assembled provides effective support therefor.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. vThe invention is defined and pointedout in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view on a line corresponding to line 11 of Fig. 2 of a reinforce assembly embodying my invention, the assemblybeing illustrated las supported by a subgrade of a pavement or the likewhich is conventionally illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on a line corresponding lto line 2 2 ofFig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vsectioncorresponding to that of Fig. 2, showing the details of the reinforcemember supports and the adjustability thereof to receive the reinforcingmember.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the assembly.

iWhile the reinforce assembly of my invention is especially desirablefor and I have illustrated it as embodied in what is commonly designatedas a load transfer device for pavement joints, certain features of myinvention are adapted for a wide variety of uses, for example reinforcebars of various types and lengths may be substituted for the dowelbarsillustrated.

yThe assembly of the embodiment illustrated comprises a pair of similarunits designated generally by the numeral 1, these units being arrangedin opposed relation to receive and support reinforce memberssuch as thejoint U-shape and their bights-9 are disposed upon and tixedly securedto the top bars as by welding indicated at 10.

The arms of the chair members are disposed in crossed relation, theouter arms 11, 11 are secured to the bottom bar 7 and constitute legs.The inner arms 12 are also disposed in crossed relation but they arespringable relative to each other as is indicated by the dotted and fulllines in Fig. 3, the initial position thereof being indicated by dottedlines. These crossed inner and outer arms provide seats for the dowelbar 2 or other reinforcing element. The units are arranged in opposedrelation as illustrated in Figs. l and 4 and the dowel bars assembledtherewith,

lthe dowels constituting tie members for the units and also connectingbars or crosspieces for the legs of the unit, thus supporting the unitsin upright position and enabling the assembly being handled as a unit.

Some paving specifications require the use of joint spacers or fillers14 which are provided with holes 1S through which the dowel bars areinserted and the spacer members 14 thus become an assembled part of theassembly. The spacers are quite commonly of fibreboard or the like as isindicated by the dotted section in Fig. l.

One of the main advantages of the structure of my invention is that theunit may be nested and shipped or transported as such and the assemblyreadily set up at the point of use, the pair of units being arranged inproperly spaced relation. The dowel bars are assembled endwise one at atime, the arms 12 of the chair members being sprung by swinging thelower ends thereof toward each other from their initial position asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. This may be done by grasping theends to enlarge the triangle between the arms 12 and the bar 5 whichform the seat and'then inserting a reinforce bar by endwise movementthereof. When the arms 12 are released they springably grip thereinforcing members, holding them in position against the top bar sothat they do not fall out of the seats of the chair members and thewhole assembly may be handled and positioned as a unit. The arms 11which constitute legs are not in clutching engagement with thereinforced members and they are desirably connected at their lower endsto support the reinforced dowel bars at predetermined height.

It will be understood that the whole assembly is embedded in theconcrete and when used as a joint support the dowel bars are commonlycoated, at least in part, with some material which permits relativemovement of adjacent pavement slabs or blocks to accommodate expansionarid contraction thereof. However, the adjacent edges of the slabs aresupportedly connected to provide what is commonly designated as a loadtransfer connection. As pointed out, the units may be usted to supportreinforce members other than dowel bars. The joint fillers of theassembly are supported so that no further support is required in theplacing of the concrete. It will be noted that the filler is supportedin upright position by the inner arms of the chair members.

I have illustrated one adaptation or embodiment of my invention. I havenot attempted to illustrate others which I contemplate as it is believedthat this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody oradapt the same a's may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A reinforce assembly comprising a pair of units disposed in opposedrelation, said units comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, a bottom bar disposed in downwardly spaced outwardly offsetrelation relative to the outer top bar, pairs of chair members spacedlongitudinally of said top bars, said chair members of the pairs beingof inverted U-shape and xedly secured to said top bars in spacedrelation to each other with `their'arms in crossed relation, the innercrossed arms coacting with the top bars to provide dowel seats, theouter arms being secured to the bottom bar and constituting legs, theinner arms being springable relative to each other permitting expandingof the seats thereof to receive a dowel bar presented endwise thereto,and dowel bars disposed in aligned seats of the units with the innerarms of the chair members in springable clutching engagement againstsaid dowel bars, the dowels constituting the tie members for the unitsand connecting bars for the legs of the units.

2. A reinforce assembly comprising a pair of units disposed in opposedrelation, said units comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of said top bars,said chair members of the pairs being of inverted U-shape and iixedlysecured to said top bars in spaced relation to each other with theirarms in crossed relation, the inner arms coacting with the top bars toform dowel seats and being springable relative to each other permittingexpanding of the seats thereof to receive a dowel bar presented endwisethereto, and dowel bars disposed in aligned seats of the units with theinner arms of the chair members in springable clutching engagementagainst said dowel bar, the dowels constituting tie members for theunits and connecting bars for the legs of the units.

3. A reinforce assembly comprising a pair of units disposed in opposedrelation, said units comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, a bottom bar disposed in a plane below the plane of the top bars,pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of said top bars, saidchair members of the pairs being fixedly secured to said top bars andcomprising downwardly projecting crossed arms, the inner arms coactingwith the top bars to provide dowel seats, one pair of crossed arms beingsecured to the bottom bar and constituting legs, the inner arms beingspringable relative to each other permitting expanding of the seatthereof to receive a dowel bar presented endwise thereto, and dowel barsdisposed in aligned seats of the units with the said springable arms inspringable clutch- :ing engagement against said dowel bars.

4. A reinforce assembly comprising a pair of units disposed in opposedrelation, said units comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of said top bars,said chair members of the pairs being xedly secured to said top bars andcomprising downwardly projecting crossed arms, one pair 'of crossed armsconstituting legs, the other pair of arms coacting with said top bars toprovide dowel seats and being springable relative to each otherpermitting expanding of the seat thereof to receive a dowel barpresented endwise thereto, and dowel bars disposed in aligned seats ofthe units with the said springable arms in springable clutchingengagement against said dowel bars.

5. A reinforce unit comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, a bottom bar disposed in downwardly spaced relation relative tothe outer top bar, pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of saidtop bars, said chair members of the pairs being of inverted U-shape andtixedvly secured to said top bars in spaced relation to each other withtheir arms in crossed relation, the inner arms coacting with the topbars to provide dowel seats, the outer -arms being secured to the bottombar and constituting legs, the inner arms being springable relative toeach other permitting expanding o'f the seats thereof to receive asupported bar presented endwise thereto.

6. A reinforce unit comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of said top bars,said chair members of the pairs being of inverted U-shape and iixedlysecured to said top bars in spaced relation to each other with theirarms in crossed relation, the inner arms coacting with said top bars toprovide dowel seats and being springable relative to each otherpermitting vertical expanding of the seats thereof to receive asupported bar presented endwise thereto.

7. A reinforce unit comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, a bottom bar disposed in a plane below the plane of the top bars,cross pieces connecting said top bars, and pairs of chair members spacedlongitudinally of said top bars, said chair members of the pairs beingfixedly secured to said top bars and comprising downwardly projectingcrossed arms one pair of crossed arms coacting with the top bars toprovide dowel seats, the other pair of crossed arms being secured to thebottom bar and constituting legs, the said first pair of arms beingspringable relative to each other permitting expanding of the seatthereof to secure a supported bar presented endwise thereto.

8. A reinforce unit comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars, cross pieces connecting said top bars, and pairs of chair membersspaced longitudinally of said top bars, said chair members of the pairsbeing xedly secured to said top bars and comprising downwardlyprojecting crossed arms, one pair of crossed arms having their lowerends connected to each other in spaced relation and constituting legs,the other pair of arms coacting with said top bar to provide dowel seatsbeing springable relative to each other permitting expanding of the seatthereof to secure a supported bar presented endwise thereto.

9; A reinforce assembly comprising a pair of units disposed in opposedrelation, said units comprising laterally spaced inner and outer topbars and pairs of chair members spaced longitudinally of the top bars,said chair members being of inverted U-shape and fixedly secured to saidtop bars in spaced relation to each other with their arms in crossedrelation, the inner arms to coact with the top bar to provide dowel barseats and being springable relative to each other permitting expandingof the inner seats to receive dowel bars presented endwise thereto,

-dowel bars disposed in aligned seats of the unit with the inner arms ofthe chair members in springable clutching engagement with the dowelbars, the inner arms of the pairs of units being spaced to receive aller member between them, and an elongated tiller member disposedbetween the inner arms of the units and through which the dowel bars aredisposed, certain of the inner arms of the units being in supportingengagement with the filler member whereby it is maintained in uprightposition.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,531,040 Heltzel Nov. 21, 1950 2,531,552 Brickman Nov. 28, 19502,634,660 Godwin Apr. 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 843,706 Germany Nov. 4,1952

